Kristina is a research scientist and educator with extensive experience across academic, clinical, and industry settings. She is passionate about advancing brain health through research, education, and applied knowledge translation. Her professional interests focus on bridging the gap between scientific evidence and improved health outcomes by supporting the effective dissemination, and implementation of research findings into practice and policy.

She holds a PhD in Biochemistry/Biophysics from Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, and has comprehensive training in preclinical, clinical, and translational research. Following completion of her doctoral studies, Kristina pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in Neuroscience at the University of California, Berkeley, where she further developed expertise in brain research and interdisciplinary collaboration. She subsequently relocated to Vancouver and spent more than a decade at the University of British Columbia within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. During this time, her work focused on clinical and preclinical research, teaching, and advancing scientific discoveries from bench to bedside.

Kristina later expanded her career into the biotechnology and startup sectors, where she held roles in regulatory affairs for pharmaceuticals and medical devices. In these positions, she was responsible for developing and leading regulatory strategies and contributing to the design and execution of clinical studies. This experience strengthened her understanding of the regulatory, ethical, and practical considerations required to translate scientific innovation into safe, effective, and accessible health solutions.

Throughout her career, Kristina’s focus on brain health has remained central, informed both by her scientific training and her lived experience as a care supporter. This dual perspective has deepened her commitment to research that addresses the physical, cognitive, emotional, and psychosocial impacts of brain injury and neurological conditions. She is strongly motivated to support research and programs that translate evidence into meaningful outcomes for individuals, families, and communities, and to contribute to initiatives that advance brain health across the spectrum of care.